The Butterfly House
Sober Transition House for Women
Unless you live in one, have a friend or family member that lives in one, or are associated with the field of addiction and recovery in some way, the meaning of the term “sober transition house” may be unknown to you. Sober transition houses may be mistaken for Halfway Houses, Rehab Houses, Boarding Houses, Homeless Shelters, Treatment Homes, Hostels, or in some cases “Flop Houses”.
Support the Butterfly House by ordering
our $10.00 Cookbook
Email
butterflyhousescf@yahoo.com
Sober transition homes are affordable, alcohol and drug free environments that provide a positive place for peer group recovery support. Sober housing promotes individual recovery by providing an environment that allows residents to build on individual recovery programs as well as become self-supporting.
The majority of sober homes are owned and operated by an individual or small partnership. Butterfly House is owned and operated by Moms and Dads against Methamphetamine Incorporated which is a non-profit 501 © (3). Because we are a non-profit organization, we are able to apply for grants from community foundations to help us keep costs down for our residents.
Quality assurance is achieved and maintained through membership in a sober living coalition or network. Butterfly House is a member of the St. Croix Valley Sober House Alliance.
The typical sober transition house is a single-family residence,
duplex or multi-unit complex located in a quiet residential neighborhood. Living is very communal in a sober house. Depending on the size of the home or unit, the occupancy can range from 6-30 residents per home or unit. Butterfly House can accommodate 8 adult residents at one time. All residents share a bedroom with at least 1 other resident to start with. Most homes, including Butterfly House are gender specific. There are very few co-ed homes. The residents are required to follow a strict set of rules. Violation of the rules can result in a minor financial fine, writing an essay, or immediate ejection from the house, depending on the violation.
The single most common rule is zero-tolerance for drug or alcohol use. This includes over-the-counter items such as mouthwash, cold medicines, after shave and cooking items such as vanilla or cooking wines. Most sober homes do random or surprise drug and alcohol testing. The use of 52 proof mouthwash (Scope and Listerine) 70 proof vanilla, or opiate or alcohol based cold medicines will cause a false positive test (not to mention intoxication if consumed in quantity).
Other zero tolerance rules include violence, threat of violence, fighting, harassment, sex on premises, theft, and unexcused absence or violation of curfew.
Each resident is required to be self-supporting, paying their own rent, and purchasing their own personal care supplies. The residents are required to work, actively seek employment, or be a student enrolled in classes at a college or trade school. Those who are permanently disabled or on federal, state or local assistance are required to become involved in service to the home or community. All residents are required to attend a minimum number of 12 step meetings per week, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous. Each resident performs an assigned daily chore around the house. A well run house is cleaned from top to bottom each day.
Residency fee at Butterfly House is $500.00 for the first month and $400.00 per month thereafter. First month residency fee is due in full upon admittance. There is no security deposit, no first and last month, and no credit checks performed. Utilities, basic phone service, and basic food are included in the residency fee. Residents are allowed to pay the residency fee on a weekly basis. The basic requirements for residency are a desire to stay clean and sober, follow the rules and pay your rent on a time.
There is no accurate count of the number of sober house or available bed space in the United States. The bed availability is not evenly distributed between men and women. It is estimated that fewer than 20% of the beds are for women, a substantially lower number for women with children and virtually none for fathers with children.
There is no clear cut answer for the disproportionate allocation of beds between men and women. There are, however, several conjectures including: A lower demand for sober living for women because women have a better network of family and friends to find a place to live. Women in recovery typically have access to individual state, local, and federal assistance for independent living.